Where are the Sidewalks?

Do you live in a community that is very walkable? I'd love to hear about it. I do not.

We have very little sidewalks and people tend to drive 35 and upwards. The more moms I talk to the more I hear about moms not allowing their kids to walk around the neighborhood and not even walking their babies in strollers.

I actually drive to walk on sidewalks.

I have formed a non-profit for my community called (insert community name here) Walks. Modeled after LA Walks.

I'm going to put a cheap ad in the local paper and the guy at the paper said they'd even run a story on it. I'll hold the next meeting at a place I can rent for very cheap, inviting locals who are interested in making the community safer.

Today I went to our local parade and told my friends that next year this new group should be in the parade! We can all walk, kids can ride scooters, etc.

Anyways, just wanted to share with you what I am doing in case you are interested in doing this for your community.

When People Make Traffic Errors How Do You Respond?

Yesterday while waiting to take a right a young, high school student began to walk in front of me. She had the walk sign.

A woman started to turn into her.

The woman saw the girl and stopped half way in the intersection.

She had made a mistake.

A car was coming at the woman who made the mistake. She threw out her arm and hand mouthing sorry. She looked very worried.

The person driving at her sped at her and laid on his/her horn. Scaring the woman. Threatening her with, death or injury.

The car went around her and all was well.

But I wonder why do we threaten others when they make an error while driving? Why do  we help other humans when they drop something, if we see them fall we go to them and ask if they are all right. I see wonderful acts of humanity daily but mostly out of the car.

When we are driving if we see someone make a mistake we honk, we go faster, we flip them off. Acts of anger are quick to be displayed. But to error is to be human, right?

Honestly just a new thought. What are your thoughts about this?

I made a driving error two days ago. I was too relaxed on the 134 East and I was on a part I normally hadn't gone on before two lanes started to merge and suddenly I woke to full attention. I couldn't safely get over as a car was coming at around 80 to my left but the car behind me was mad at me. He wasn't slowing down enough to let me safely in between him and the car in front of him. I began beeping rapidly flapping a hand saying please let me in. He had his window down and he finally slowed a bit. I screwed up.

But just another example of being threatened.

I think humans need a mental health check about how we drive.